If you’d like to support the health of your heart, cardiologists recommend drinking alcohol in moderation. Consuming more than two alcoholic beverages per day for men and one for women can increase your heart disease risk.

Alcohol’s Effect on Your Heart Heavy drinking can lead to a broad range of health problems that can include peptic ulcers, liver disease, and cancer. Your heart can also suffer when you consume excessive alcohol. Binge drinking, for example, can cause heart arrhythmias. Also, regularly drinking more than one or two drinks per day can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease characterized by weakened and thinned heart muscle that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood. To understand what is considered moderate drinking, the American Heart Association defines one drink as 4 oz. of wine, a 12 oz. beer, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquors, and 1 oz. of 100-proof liquors.

If You Already Have Heart Disease For some individuals, drinking alcohol even in moderation can be dangerous. If you have high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythm, or have suffered heart failure, talk to your doctor to learn if you should avoid alcohol entirely.

Red Wine and Heart Disease In recent decades, a number of studies have been published that indicate a possible link between drinking red wine and reduced heart disease-related mortalities in some populations. Many people are quick to adopt this premise as fact, but no studies have shown a direct relationship between the effects of drinking red wine and a reduced risk of developing heart disease. Some researchers point to antioxidants from the skin of red grapes as the source of red wine’s positive effect on HDL cholesterol, but factors such as lifestyle, exercise, and healthy food choices may also contribute to these results.

After undergoing treatment for a heart attack, many patients can quickly return to their normal schedule. In the days immediately following your treatment, however, your cardiologist may advise a restriction on particular activities to avoid straining your heart.

It’s common for patients to worry about their heart condition after a heart attack, and frequently have questions about activities that are safe. Sex is a healthy part of a relationship and is an activity that causes less heart strain than you may think. If you’re wondering if you should have sex after a heart attack, talk to your doctor. He may advise exercise testing to determine what activity level is safe for you.

Cardiac Solutions has four convenient locations in the West Valley area and provides cutting edge treatments for heart disease in Phoenix . To learn more about our heart condition clinics or to schedule an appointment with one of our cardiologists, call us today at (623) 876-8816.

Aspirin works as a blood thinner in the body, meaning that it can slow the formation of blood clots, which are the cause of most heart attacks. Because of this, cardiologists recommend that some people who are at high risk for heart disease take a baby aspirin each day as a preventative measure.

Watch this video to learn about the safety of taking a daily aspirin. Some cardiologists worry that the risk of aspirin causing internal bleeding for some individuals may outweigh the benefits of blood clot prevention.

Are you looking for skilled cardiologists near Phoenix? Cardiac Solutions is a physician-owned clinic business that provides cardiac health treatments at four convenient West Valley locations. To learn more about treatment for heart conditions, call us today at (623) 876-8816.

Are you feeling stressed at work? Cardiologists recommend quitting smoking and practicing deep breathing and meditation exercises for women who feel under pressure at their job. Watch this video to learn about the link between work stress and heart attacks in women.

In a recent study, it was found that women who experienced high levels of stress in the workplace developed an increased risk of heart disease, and a dramatic rise in their risk of heart attacks in particular. Additionally, women who felt a significant amount of job insecurity were at higher risk for obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

The experienced cardiologists at Cardiac Solutions treat a broad range of heart conditions in Phoenix. To learn more about our services for heart conditions, contact us today at (623) 876-8816.

When the heart produces irregular rhythms that originate in its lower chambers, or ventricles, this condition is referred to as a ventricular arrhythmia. Three ventricular arrhythmias frequently treated by cardiologists include ventricular fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, and ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular Fibrillation One of the most dangerous types of heart arrhythmias is ventricular fibrillation. This condition involves an irregular and uncontrolled heartbeat that can become chaotic and rapid, sometimes reaching as high as 300 beats per minute. This results in reduced blood flow from the heart to the brain and can lead to fainting. Other symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, and the sensation of an abnormal heartbeat. Immediate treatment for ventricular fibrillation typically involves CPR or cardioversion, a procedure which can shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. Doctors may recommend medications or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to prevent future episodes. To improve blood flow, some patients may require coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery.

Premature Ventricular Contractions Also referred to as PVCs, premature ventricular contractions are extra heartbeats that begin in one of the heart’s ventricles. These contractions are common and frequently produce no symptoms. In some occurrences, the individual may notice a fluttering sensation, skipped or missed beats, or a pounding feeling in their chest. For many patients, treatment begins with lifestyle changes, such as eliminating tobacco and caffeine, which can both trigger a PVC. Beta blockers may be prescribed to suppress PVC episodes, and doctors may recommend radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy when other treatments fail.

Ventricular Tachycardia Caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system, ventricular tachycardia is a condition in which the heart’s ventricles beat too quickly. Episodes can be brief and may not cause symptoms, but longer instances can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Common treatments for ventricular tachycardia include ICD insertion, pacemakers, cardiac ablation, cardioversion, and medications.

If you’re experiencing heart disease symptoms in Phoenix, the skilled cardiologists at Cardiac Solutions can diagnose and treat your heart condition . To learn more about heart disease or schedule an appointment, call us today at (623) 876-8816.

The mitral valve is responsible for stopping and starting the blood flow between the left atrium and the left ventricle. A few mitral valve problems commonly seen by cardiologists include mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve regurgitation, and mitral stenosis.

Mitral Valve Prolapse Often referred to as MVP, mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the mitral valve’s two flaps fail to close evenly or smoothly. In many cases, MVP is caused by benign growths of collagen that develop on the flaps. This condition is often harmless, but treatment may be required in some cases. For individuals who do experience symptoms, the condition is described as mitral valve syndrome and is associated with dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation This condition occurs when blood leaks backward through the mitral valve with every contraction of the left ventricle. Mitral valve regurgitation can lead to increased pressure and blood volume in the area, and severe cases can result in fluid buildup in the lungs, heart palpitations, or heart failure. Because it tends to enlarge the left atrium, this condition may be linked to the development of atrial fibrillation, a problem that reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency.

Mitral Stenosis Caused by a blockage or narrowing of the mitral valve, mitral stenosis occurs when blood is forced to back up into the heart’s left atrium instead of flowing smoothly into the left ventricle. In many cases, patients suffering from mitral stenosis were diagnosed with rheumatic fever as a child. This condition can also be caused by any health condition that narrows the mitral valve. Symptoms of mitral stenosis can include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, heart palpitations, and frequent respiratory infections. Some people may also experience edema or fatigue.

If you’re looking for treatment for heart disease in Phoenix, call Cardiac Solutions today at (623) 876-8816. Our cardiologists have provided the West Valley area with exceptional cardiac care since 1984, and we now have four convenient clinics that are located in Glendale, Avondale, Sun City West, and Peoria.

After suffering a heart attack, you are often at higher risk for experiencing a second one. Fortunately, there are several steps you and your heart doctor can take to treat the underlying heart disease that caused your first heart attack to lower your risk for another cardiac event. Making changes to reduce the influence of heart attack risk factors is the very best way to prevent another heart attack from affecting your health and well-being.

Untreated Heart Disease Heart attacks are typically caused by cardiovascular damage associated with heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. Thus, the key to preventing a second heart attack is seeking treatment for your heart condition, rather than allowing it to persist untreated. There are several successful lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatment options available to halt the progression of cardiovascular disease and prevent further damage to the heart, lowering your risk for a second heart attack.

A Poor Diet Your diet also plays a vital role in your heart health and your risk for a second heart attack. Because dietary factors are often linked with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, eating a heart-healthy diet can help you improve these conditions and lower your risk of another heart attack or other serious complications.

Limited Exercise Regular physical activity is necessary for good cardiovascular health. After a heart attack, you and your heart doctor will develop a personalized exercise plan that is safe and healthy for you to follow. Working physical activity and exercise into your everyday lifestyle is an excellent way to treat heart disease, maintain heart health, and reduce your risk of a second heart attack.

Cardiac Solutions is pleased to offer heart care at four locations in the Phoenix area , including our newest clinic in Glendale. You can speak with a heart doctor near Phoenix by calling (623) 876-8816, or take a look through our website for more information about coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmia, and other heart conditions that can put you at risk for a first or second heart attack.

Anticoagulant medications are often prescribed for patients with various forms of heart disease. These medications are designed to reduce the blood’s ability to clot, which can lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke if you suffer from a condition such as coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation . If your heart doctor near Phoenix has suggested anticoagulant medications as part of your cardiac treatment program, he will explore the pros and cons of this medication with you to determine whether it is the right step for your heart health.

The Pros of Anticoagulants Anticoagulant medications offer several health benefits to patients with heart disease. Certain heart conditions can raise your risk for the development of blood clots, which can lead to serious complications if the clot is large enough to block the flow of blood to vital organs of the body. Because anticoagulant medications reduce the clotting factors of your blood, they have been proven to reduce the risk of blood clots that could cause a serious medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke.

The Cons of Anticoagulants While anticoagulants can significantly reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke, they do alter the time it takes your blood to clot, which can cause problems under some conditions. Patients taking anticoagulants are more likely to develop bruises and bleed heavily if they are injured, which can lead to significant blood loss if the cut is large or deep. In some cases, anticoagulant medications can also raise your risk for internal bleeding, such as in the gastrointestinal tract or brain. If your heart doctor does prescribe anticoagulant therapy, you will need to have your blood checked regularly to ensure the medication is working correctly—while this procedure is minor, it is associated with time and financial commitments.

Cardiac Solutions is dedicated to helping patients with all types of heart conditions in Phoenix enjoy greater health and quality of life . You can find out more about our team of experienced cardiologists and our treatment solutions on our website or by calling (623) 876-8816 today.

Heart disease refers to a variety of vascular and heart conditions that affect the health and function of your cardiovascular system. While there are many lifestyle factors that can increase your risk for heart disease, some chronic health conditions may also play a part in your risk for heart problems. Understanding the link between these chronic health conditions and your heart health can help you take positive steps to reduce your risk for heart disease as part of your overall health management plan.

High Cholesterol High cholesterol is a chronic condition that is frequently associated with the development of heart disease if cholesterol levels are left untreated. This is because high cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaques in arteries that carry blood to the heart, causing the development of coronary artery disease , which is the most common form of heart disease and a leading cause of death in the United States.

High Blood Pressure Blood pressure refers to the force associated with the flow of blood through your cardiovascular system. High blood pressure can put stress on the walls of veins and arteries, causing them to weaken and affecting the health of the heart and other organs in the body. Over time, the damage caused by chronic high blood pressure can significantly raise your risk for development of heart disease and stroke if it is not treated.

Diabetes Poorly controlled diabetes can have negative health effects throughout the body, including an increased risk for heart disease. Chronically high blood glucose levels are associated with a much higher risk for the development of heart conditions that include physical changes in the heart that can lead to heart attack or congestive heart failure.

At Cardiac Solutions, our cardiologists near Phoenix offer the education and care you need to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. You can schedule an appointment with an experienced heart doctor at our clinic by calling (623) 876-8816; we also invite you to explore our website for more information about common heart conditions and your treatment options.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms, or AAAs, cause the walls of the aorta to bulge outward inside the abdomen; this condition can become severe and life-threatening. Although aneurysms do not cause symptoms until they are severe, cardiologists have developed a screening process to identify aneurysms before it is too late to intervene.

In this video, you will learn more about the risk factors associated with AAAs, including age, gender, and family history. To check for an aneurysm, your heart doctor will perform an ultrasound exam of your abdomen to look for a bulge in the aorta, which can then be treated before it poses a serious risk to your health.

Understanding your heart disease risks and how to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease in Phoenix is an important step toward greater general health and longevity. You can reach Cardiac Solutions via our website or by calling (623) 876-8816 to learn more.